66 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



buildings maintained. There should be strict enforcement of hous- 

 ing laws with a proviso not to put a financial squeeze on the small 

 property owners. We need to stimulate more interest in on-the-job 

 training for high-paying jobs for older employees in private and 

 Federal employment. To stimulate more interest in tree planting 

 and better street and building lighting. To stress good character, 

 honesty, integrity, good American traditions. To be a good neigh- 

 bor. To take pride in self, family and assist in building and main- 

 taining a good neighborhood. 



I would suggest someone be appointed on a Federal level to 

 direct urban activities in connection with running urban participa- 

 tion action programs. 



I think, gentlemen, we have a great stimulus from the President 

 and we should not take a negative approach. We should take a 

 very positive approach and use of the Office of the President directly 

 to focus attention on making America beautiful. 



Mrs. META GRACE KEEBLER. I would like to say that we have 

 many wonderful programs already being carried out over the coun- 

 try. Having worked with the Department of Agriculture for 11 

 years in the States, I am very familiar with the programs that already 

 are underway and also with the thousands of other farms and garden 

 organizations that are very active and very anxious to help in this 

 wonderful program. 



It is the most valuable and marvelous opportunity, I believe, of 

 any we have had. I am thrilled over it. Everybody wants to 

 enter into it and help in some way. I think that freedom of the 

 States to select projects should not be limited. Each State, I believe, 

 should be permitted to select the projects it believes are most out- 

 standing, as for example, the wonderful new park that has just been 

 set up in Alabama called Horse Shoe Bend Park. The Department 

 of the Interior is building roads and making it a museum. The 

 river there ought to be beautified and there are just thousands of 

 ways this could be done. Every project in every State has something 

 that farm and garden organizations can enter into. Please, try not 

 to limit the power of each State and county, but encourage that. 



Statements Submitted for the Record 



ED DE MARS. One additional point I would like to have con- 

 sidered before final recommendations are made: Where the military 

 has property along a scenic highway, local or otherwise, they can 



